Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Winter Break
Christmas was coming. One morning in mid-December, Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow. The lake froze solid and the Weasley twins were punished for bewitching several snowballs so that they followed Quirrell around, bouncing off the back of his turban. The few owls that managed to battle their way through the stormy sky to deliver mail had to be nursed back to health by Hagrid before they could fly off again.
No one could wait for the holidays to start. While the Gryffindor common room and the Great Hall had roaring fires, the drafty corridors had become icy and a bitter wind rattled the windows in the classrooms. Worst of all were Professor Snape's classes down in the dungeons, where their breath rose in a mist before them and they kept as close as possible to their hot cauldrons.
Some of those Slytherins whose families were supporters of Voldemort taunted Harry about having to stay in Hogwarts because he was unwanted, but Edward pointed his wand at them and blue flames surrounded him, giving him a devil like appearance. When Snape glanced over at him, he put away his flames instantly and acted innocently.
The hall looked spectacular. Festoons of holly and mistletoe hung all around the walls, and no less than twelve towering Christmas trees stood around the room, some sparkling with tiny icicles, some glittering with hundreds of candles.
"How many days you have left until your holidays?" Hagrid asked.
"Just one," said Hermione. "And that reminds me -- Edward, Harry, Ron, Draco we've got half an hour before lunch, we should be in the library. "
"Oh yeah, you're right," said Ron, tearing his eyes away from Professor Flitwick, who had golden bubbles blossoming out of his wand and was trailing them over the branches of the new tree.
"The library?" said Hagrid, following them out of the hall. "Just before the holidays? Bit keen, aren't yeh?"
"Oh, we're not working," Harry told him brightly. "Ever since you mentioned Nicolas Flamel we've been trying to find out who he is. "
"You what ?" Hagrid looked shocked. "Listen here -- I've told yeh -- drop it. It's nothin' to you what that dog's guardin'. "
"We just want to know who Nicolas Flamel is, that's all," said Draco.
"Unless you'd like to tell us and save us the trouble?" Harry added. "We must've been through hundreds of books already and we can't find him anywhere -- just give us a hint -- I know I've read his name somewhere. "
"I'm saying nothing, '' said Hagrid flatly.
"Just have to find out for ourselves, then," said Draco, and they left Hagrid looking disgruntled and hurried off to the library.
"Unfortunately, we can't stay for the holidays Draco. Mom will be sad and Dad is already probably looking for a reason to disinherit me."
"Blimey Edward. What a nice father you have."
"Shut up Wesley. Don't worry, Dad won't do that. He loves you too much. Plus you are a huge genius. Besides, mom would definitely stop him"
"Don't worry Edward, you and Draco can come to my house for the winter break if that happens." Said Hermione with a rosy tint on her face.
Edward just looked at Hermione with a confused expression. After Draco and Edward saved Hermione, she was acting much nicer to them. He quickly shook these unnecessary thoughts out of his head. The worst enemy to fight is the one you can't take action against.
The train ride back was quite uneventful. Edward closed his eyes, trying to prepare his mind while Draco talked with his friends in SLytherin. At the station, they saw Dobby, who bowed down and said,"Young Masters, Master Lucius sent me to pick you up."
Edward patted Dobby on the head and said, take us there. At the mansion, Lucius and Narcissa were sitting on the dinning table. Narcissa ran over to hug Draco and Edward and said," Look what Hogwarts has done to you. You are much thinner than before. Edward, are you all right? Have those Gryffindors been bullying you."
"Mom, it's fine. I have been having a nice time. Draco and I also made friends with Potter."
Lucius interrupted Edward," Son, I know that being in Gryffindor was not planned, but you should also gain support from the Slytherin pure-blood descendents. I don't want you to be outscraised."
Edward nodded and said," Don't worry Dad. I will definitely make you proud."
Narcissa ended the discussion early," Okay stop talking. Let's just enjoy dinner peacefully."
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